£54M forward's form could see more problems for summer signing

Liverpool's £54M star was on the scoresheet for Portugal this weekend and his form could now confirm his place as Liverpool's starting striker.

Diogo Jota scored for Portugal from a Cristiano Ronaldo assist as he continues to build back to full fitness and top form.

Given Liverpool's issues with a certain Uruguayan forward, Jota is ready to lead the line for the Reds as he looks to build on his 21 goals in all competitions last season.

It's expected that Jota will now start for Liverpool in their 'strongest' starting eleven but that means that for Nunez, he'll have to continue to work with limited minutes - a problem that could see him continue to struggle for form.

Jota scores for Portugal

A headed tap-in from a Ronaldo cross ensured Portugal thrashed the Czech Republic with Jota securing his 10th goal in only 27 games.

He's started two of the last four games for his country in the UEFA Nations League and works well off the left as part of a hugely exciting Portuguese team that boasts talent such as Ronaldo, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix to name a few.

Jota signed off before the international break with an assist to Mohamed Salah for the opening goal of the game against Ajax in the Champions League. His first touch, vision and weight of pass were all perfect and it showed exactly why Jurgen Klopp likes having someone who can link up well like a prime Roberto Firmino did for him.

That's where Nunez has to improve, as Luis Diaz and Salah are huge goal threats and require a forward can link up and often act unselfishly to ensure they get goalscoring opportunities. Of course, it helps that Jota is a very good finisher too, with both feet and his head.

What does this mean for Nunez

For Nunez, he'll have to wait his turn. Despite being a record signing, his form has been indifferent as Liverpool have yet to get to grips with how to play to his strengths and likewise, he's struggled to adapt his game to the side's style.

It's a two-way issue and it's an issue that can only be solved with consistent minutes - something that he isn't guaranteed unless another injury befalls Jota.

He will surely earn minutes in the cup games as well as certain Champions League games but his troubles will only continue with bit-part roles. The overall goal is for the team to succeed and right now, the best chance of securing that is by playing Jota.

Nunez will just have to take his chances whenever they come which will be difficult with the whole 'stop-start' nature of it all, but he's certainly up for the challenge.